Pet owner to pay out £1,000 over Walsall dog attack

Lynda Macmillan, aged 61, previously admitted being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control in a public place, namely a white Staffordshire Bull Terrier, at Walsall Magistrates Court.

The animal which injured Simon Hayes will not be destroyed following the attack, which happened on June 24.

Mrs Kelly Crowe, prosecuting, yesterday told magistrates Mr Hayes was walking home from work along the canal towpath near the Black Cock Pub at about 4.40pm when he saw the defendant walking two dogs.

"When she was about 50 yards from him the white dog pulled away from her and bolted towards him and bit him on his right calf without any hesitation. He then fell to the ground in pain.

By his own admission he was abusive to her due to the pain he was in.

"She decided due to the circumstances to leave the scene," Mrs Crowe said.

She told the court a distressed Mr Hayes hobbled home and was then driven to hospital in Lichfield by his son. He suffered a torn calf muscle and received several stitches to the wound and a tetanus jab. "As a result of the incident he was off work for two weeks and lost income in the region of £800," she added.

Macmillan, aged 61, of Camden Street, Walsall Wood, had received a caution for a similar offence in 2011 as her dog had bitten someone in the Devon and Cornwall police area.

But Mrs Crowe said despite the latest incident West Midlands Police had not requested the dog be put down.

Mrs Sheila Hicklin, defending, told the court: "She fully accepts what has happened. She is very sorry about what happened to the gentleman's leg as a result. She got upset because he was shouting and swearing so much she became worried and went round the corner."

The magistrates heard that Macmillan suffers from multiple sclerosis and severe arthritis and was unable to carry out unpaid work.

She was ordered to pay Mr Hayes £800 in lost earnings, £200 for the injury and victims' surcharge £60. There was no order for costs.

But Macmillan, who receives disability living allowance was given a 12-week curfew order to wear electronic tag with the condition that she must stay indoors between 7pm and 7am.

She was also made subject to a contingency destruction order with conditions that the dog must be fitted with a muzzle while in a public place, it must also have a lead and must not be taken out by a person under the age of 16.